Adesso oh Sesto

English Libretto or Translation:

ANNIUS
(Now, Sextus,
speak for me.)

SEXTUS
How, my lord, could you send
your fair queen away?

TITUS
Ah, Sextus, my friend,
how terrible a moment! I did not think …
Enough: I conquered; she is gone. Let Rome now
free itself from all suspicions
of seeing her my wife. It wishes
to see one of its own daughters on my throne,
and I must satisfy it. Since love
vainly chose my bonds, I wish at least
for friendship to forge them.
Let the Imperial blood be united to yours, Sextus.
Your sister shall be my bride this day.

SEXTUS
Servilia!

TITUS
Exactly.

ANNIUS
(O woe is me!)

SEXTUS
(O heavens,
Annius is lost.)

TITUS
Did you hear?
What do you say? Have you no answer?

SEXTUS
Titus ...

ANNIUS
Caesar, I know
Sextus's heart.
But you should not heed his counsel.
How could you select
a bride more worthy
of the empire and of you? Virtue, beauty –
Servilia has them all. I could see in her face
that she was born to rule.
This is fulfilment of my presentiments.

SEXTUS
(Annius saying this? Am I dreaming or awake?)

TITUS
Then, Annius, you bear her the tidings.
And you, dear Sextus, follow me
and put aside your doubts.
You shall have such a share
in the throne, and I will so elevate you
that very little will remain
of that vast gap
which the gods set between Sextus and Titus.

SEXTUS
This is too much, my lord. At least,
Caesar, if you do not wish us
to be ungrateful, limit your generosity.

TITUS
How then? (If you deny me
my generosity, what do you leave me?)